No Bones About It – Chewing

I spend a lot of time writing articles about dental disease in cats and dogs. You might get tired of articles about teeth, but dental disease is the second most common disease we veterinarians see on a daily basis. (Second to obesity and people get really tired of me talking about putting dogs and cats on diets!) By far the most common questions I get about teeth are: what can my dog chew on? What can’t my dog chew on? Help, he’s chewing on everything! Okay, the last one isn’t really a question, but you get the idea.
Most dogs (and some cats) have an innate desire to chew. Chewing can do a lot of good things. It helps distract and occupy fearful pets. It helps keep plaque and tartar from building up on teeth. Chew toys help train puppies and kittens what is acceptable to chew on.
The wrong chew toys and treats, however, can cause problems. Cracked and fractured teeth are a common problem in dogs. Broken teeth are painful and can lead to infection, so they need to be addressed surgically. That means anesthesia, dental extractions, and expense.
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has a website dedicated to safe and effective dental treats, foods and supplements. Check out www.vohc.org for a list of products for dogs and cats. Anything hard like antlers or beef bones, can result in fractured teeth. Gritty toys like tennis balls can wear teeth over time.
Make sure the chew treats and toys you give your animals are safe to digest and take away small pieces before Fluffy or Fido can swallow the whole thing. Chew safely!
For more information about Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center go to 25832 Hemingway Ave., Santa Clarita, CA 91381 or call us at 661-799-0655 or visit our website at www.srvc.com.